Sheriff's sergeant commended for 'Heroic Rescue'

In recognition of what Sheriff Jon Lopey described as the "heroic rescue" of a family in distress at the Sacramento River last month, he presented Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Christopher Rees with a commendation plaque on Friday.

"There are not a lot of peace officers willing to jump in a river and risk their lives to save someone else. We really appreciate your efforts and this is a small token of appreciation for all you have done," Lopey said to Rees before handing him the plaque and a commendation pin.

The rescue occurred on Sept. 8 in Dunsmuir when Rees happened to be in the city to conduct follow-up work on a criminal case.

Rees said he heard the sound of a child's "distressed screams" from the Sacramento River near River Street.

He responded to the screams, and observed a family of four floating on two rafts – one adult and one child per raft – and clinging to a hanging tree branch to avoid being sucked downriver by the powerful currents.

With his heavy waste gear which included his gun, taser weapon, radio and mace spray, Rees said he began wading through the river to reach the distressed family.

About halfway through the river, he noted the currents were so strong that he came to realize if he picked up one foot to move any further, he could have lost his footing. At that point, the current lifted the woman from her raft which held one of her children, and she continued clinging to the branch while holding the raft with her feet to prevent her child from drifting down the river.

A nearby kayaker assisted Rees in reaching the tree branch. When he reached the branch, the current pushed Rees toward the family.

He brought them to the shore, and broke trail through thick blackberry bushes and brush to lead them to safety. A neighbor observed Rees' efforts to clear trail, and assisted in creating a trail for the family, which did not have proper river footwear.

"Your actions probably saved the lives of these young children," Lopey said to Rees. "You are hereby commended for your exemplary performance and life-saving efforts under stressful and hazardous circumstances."

Rees was asked what it felt like to be responsible for the rescue of a family.

He responded, "I was doing my job."

Rees has been employed with the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office for 18 years and was recently promoted from patrol deputy to administrative sergeant.